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City seeks funds, rail crossing approvals to extend River Edge Trail north to Gilbert Park
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Summary
Staff asked for funding and partner commitments to extend the River Edge Trail from Winton Street north through city-owned property to Gilbert Park; the project hinges on a new railroad crossing that will require a petition and approval by the Office of Commissioner of Railroads.
City staff described plans July 17 to extend the River Edge Trail north from Winton Street through recently acquired city property to a new crossing into Gilbert Park, but said the crossing of the railroad tracks is the project's linchpin and will require regulatory review.
Planning staff said the city owns the former county materials property and envisions a trail alignment that will narrow along the railroad right-of-way and cross the tracks into Gilbert Park. The Office of Commissioner of Railroads (OCR) must process a petition to close an existing alley crossing and open a new trail crossing; staff said OCR timelines are outside the city's control and can be lengthy.
Funding for the northern segment has been discussed as a mix of room-tax dollars, TID cash and potential foundation donations. Staff said approximately $250,000 in room-tax funds is set aside for the northern section and that other donor or TID support could cover additional costs. Committee members asked whether the $800,000 figure in the packet represented the city's ask or the total project cost; staff said room-tax and donors cover a portion and they would correct packet entries and provide an updated funding breakdown in the next packet.
Staff noted the city could petition OCR for openings and described that OCR may apportion costs; the agency could require the city to bear most or all crossing costs depending on the CRC decision. Committee members asked staff to prepare the petition and bring required council resolutions in the coming months.
Ending: Staff said they will seek committee direction to prepare resolutions for OCR petitioning and will return with updated CIP pages showing corrected years and funding allocations.
